Optimization of laundry cycles utilizing user feedback

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a laundry treatment appliance includes performing a selected laundry treatment operation on a laundry load in accordance with an original set of operating parameters, obtaining a feedback input from a user regarding a dryness level of the laundry load, adjusting at least one operating parameter of the original set of operating parameters, and generating a new set of operating parameters including the at least one adjusted operating parameter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to laundry treatmentappliances, and more particularly to optimizing subsequent operatingcycles of laundry treatment appliances based on user feedback.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional consumer appliances typically operate in an open-endedmanner. In this regard, all appliance settings and control inputs areset prior to beginning an operating cycle. The operating cycle is thenperformed based solely on the pre-cycle input, and the process isrepeated during subsequent operating cycles.

However, conventional appliances fail to incorporate applianceperformance during prior operating cycles as a means to improveperformance during subsequent operating cycles. Operation andperformance of consumer appliances may be improved by using feedbackfrom the appliance. In failing to consider the results of prioroperating cycles, conventional appliances fail to optimize applianceperformance during subsequent cycles. For instance, laundry treatmentappliances (such as dryers, for example) may continually under performwith regards to user expectancies, resulting in dissatisfaction and userannoyance.

Accordingly, a method for improving appliance performance byincorporating closed loop feedback from an appliance operating cycle tomake appliance adjustments for subsequent operating cycles would beuseful. More particularly, a method incorporating performance data andconsumer feedback regarding the operation of a laundry treatmentappliance during subsequent operating cycles would be especiallybeneficial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofoptimizing performance of a laundry treatment appliance is provided. Themethod may include performing a selected laundry treatment operation ona laundry load in accordance with an original set of operatingparameters; obtaining a feedback input from a user regarding a drynesslevel of the laundry load upon completion of the selected laundrytreatment operation; adjusting at least one operating parameter of theoriginal set of operating parameters in response to obtaining thefeedback input; and generating an adjusted set of operating parametersbased on the original set of operating parameters and the feedbackinput.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a laundrytreatment appliance is disclosed. The laundry treatment appliance mayinclude a cabinet forming a receiving space; a tub rotatably providedwithin the receiving space; and a controller operably coupled to thetub, the controller being configured to perform a series of operations.The series of operations may include performing a selected laundrytreatment operation on a laundry load in accordance with an original setof operating parameters; obtaining a feedback input from a userregarding a dryness level of the laundry load upon completion of theselected laundry treatment operation; adjusting at least one operatingparameter of the original set of operating parameters in response toobtaining the feedback input; and generating an adjusted set ofoperating parameters comprising the at least one adjusted operatingparameter.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing cycle-basedconsumer feedback and control of a consumer appliance according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for optimizing the performance of anappliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope of theinvention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a schematic diagram of a system 100 for providingcycle-based consumer feedback and control of one or more consumerappliances (e.g., a laundry treatment appliance) according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. In general, system100 may include one or more appliances, e.g., appliance 112, that arecommunicatively coupled with a remote server 114 through a network 116,as described in detail below. Although a single appliance 112 is usedherein as an exemplary embodiment to describe aspects of the presentsubject matter, one skilled in the art will appreciate that more thanone appliance may be used in system 100 and that other appliances andsystems may incorporate aspects of the present subject matter and remainwithin the scope of the invention.

According to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , appliance 112 mayinclude a controller 120. Various components of exemplary controller 120are illustrated in schematic fashion in FIG. 1 . As shown, controller120 may include one or more processor(s) 122 and associated memorydevice(s) 124 configured to perform a variety of computer-implementedfunctions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, and the like disclosedherein). By way of example, processor 122 may include one or moremicroprocessors, such as general or special purpose microprocessorsoperable to execute programming instructions or micro-control codeassociated with an operating cycle. Memory 124 may represent randomaccess memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. Inone embodiment, processor 122 executes programming instructions storedin memory 124. Memory 124 may be a separate component from processor 122or may be included onboard within processor 122.

Additionally, controller 120 may also include a communications module126 to facilitate communications between controller 120 and variousother components of system 100. For instance, the communications module126 may serve as an interface to permit controller 120 to transmitand/or receive from remote server 114 performance data related tooperating cycles, as discussed herein. Moreover, the communicationsmodule 126 may include an interface 128 (e.g., one or moreanalog-to-digital converters) to permit input signals to be convertedinto signals that can be understood and processed by the processor 122.

Controller 120 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughoutappliance 112. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 ,controller 120 may be located proximate a user interface panel 140 ofappliance 112. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals maybe routed between the controller 120 and various operational componentsof appliance 112 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through acabinet of appliance 112. Typically, controller 120 is in communicationwith user interface panel 140, which may represent a general purpose I/O(“GPIO”) device or functional block. According to an exemplaryembodiment, user interface 140 may include controls 142 through which auser may select various operational features and modes of appliance 112.In one embodiment, controls 142 may include one or more of a variety ofelectrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices includingrotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface 140 may alsoinclude a display component, such as a digital or analog display device144 designed to provide operational feedback to a user and allow formonitoring the progress of an operating cycle.

User interface 140 may be in communication with controller 120 via oneor more signal lines or shared communication busses. Controller 120 mayalso be communication with one or more sensors to monitor the operationof appliance 112. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment,appliance 112 may be a laundry machine, and sensors may includetemperature sensors to measure water temperature, humidity sensors todetect a dryness of a washing load (e.g., within a dryer appliance),water level gauges, vibration sensors to measure out-of-balanceconditions, and other sensors for measuring and monitoring an operatingcycle of appliance 112. In this manner, controller 120 may operateappliance 112 in response to user manipulation of user interface panel140 and can also receive performance feedback from sensors placedthroughout appliance 112. In addition, performance data or cycle statusindicators may be indicated to the user with display 144.

As mentioned above, system 100 may further include remote server 114.Remote server 114 may generally operate to store, receive, and transmitsignals associated with operating cycles, such as performance data, andmay thus be in communication with appliance 112 through controller 120.For example, remote server 114 may include one or more processor(s) 152and associated memory device(s) 154 configured to perform a variety ofcomputer-implemented functions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, andthe like disclosed herein). By way of example, processor 152 may includeone or more microprocessors, such as general or special purposemicroprocessors operable to execute programming instructions ormicro-control code associated with an operating cycle. Memory 154 mayrepresent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such asROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, processor 152 executes programminginstructions stored in memory 154. Memory 154 may be a separatecomponent from processor 152 or may be included onboard within processor152.

Additionally, the remote server 114 may also include a communicationsmodule 156 to facilitate communications between the remote server 114and controller 120 and various other components of the system 100, suchas a user input device 160, as discussed below. For instance, thecommunications module 156 may serve as an interface to permit the remoteserver 114 to transmit and/or receive performance data associated withoperating cycles and recommendations for improving operating cycles.Moreover, the communications module 156 may include an interface 158(e.g., one or more analog-to-digital converters) to permit input signalsto be converted into signals that can be understood and processed by theprocessor 152.

Server 114 may be remote, and thus external to appliance 112 which istypically located at a single location, e.g., a consumer's residence.The server 114 may, for example, be in another room of a house orbuilding in which the system 100 is utilized, or in a neighboringbuilding, etc. Alternatively, and in exemplary embodiments, the remoteserver 114 is a cloud-based server 114, and is thus located at a distantlocation, such as in a separate state, country, etc. The remote server114 may be in wireless communication with the appliance 112 (andcontroller 120), such as through a network 116. The network 116 may beany type of wireless communications network, such as a local areanetwork (e.g. intranet), wide area network (e.g. Internet), or somecombination thereof. The network 116 can also include a directconnection between the client devices, such as appliance 112, asdiscussed herein, and the remote server 114. In general, communicationbetween the remote server 114 and the client devices may be carried viaa network interface using any type of wireless connection, using avariety of communication protocols (e.g. TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP),encodings or formats (e.g. HTML, XML), and/or protection schemes (e.g.VPN, secure HTTP, SSL). Accordingly, operating cycle and statusinformation may be transmitted from controller 120 to the remote server114 using the network 116.

System 100 may further include user input device 160 that may beconfigured for receiving user input regarding the performance of theoperating cycle and transmitting the user input to remote server 114.According to an exemplary embodiment, user input device 160 may be amobile phone or tablet that is in wireless communication with network116 and remote server 114. Alternatively, user input device 160 may be apersonal computer, may be a dedicated input terminal on appliance 112,may be a module within user interface 140 of appliance 112, or may beany other device suitable for receiving feedback from a user andtransmitting that feedback to remote server 114. In addition, user inputdevice 160 may be used to communicate directly with appliance 112, forexample, to adjust appliance settings or receive performance data.

As shown in FIG. 1 , user input device 160 may be a mobile phone havinga software application for inputting feedback and transmitting thefeedback to remote server 114. The feedback may be solicited by theapplication in certain circumstances, such as by pop-up indicators orrequests, seeking that the user provides feedback to specific cycles orperform some action to rectify a fault condition with appliance 112.Alternatively, the user feedback may be initiated by the user bylaunching the application when it is desirable to provide feedback, suchas when an issue has occurred, or system performance is not satisfactoryto the user.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, appliance 112illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided only for the purpose of explanationand is not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter.Aspects of the present subject matter may be used with any suitablenumber and type of appliances and it should be appreciated that theinvention is not limited to any particular style, model, orconfiguration of these appliances. Indeed, the present subject mattermay be used with other consumer or commercial appliances, such as,cooking appliances, dishwashers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, etc. Inaddition, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the schematicdiagram shown in FIG. 1 is a simplified representation of the appliancesand communication links that may be used to perform certain aspects ofthe present subject matter. Other components may be used, otherconfigurations are possible, and these variations may be within thescope of the present subject matter.

Now that the details of system 100 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present subject matter have been presented, an exemplary method200 of optimizing performance of an appliance by implementing acorrective action based on collected user feedback and performance datawill be described. Although the discussion below refers to the exemplarymethod 200 of operating appliance 112, one skilled in the art willappreciate that the exemplary method 200 is applicable to the operationof a variety of other appliances and systems, and system 100 is usedonly for the purpose of explanation. For example, it should beunderstood that method 200 may be used, for example, for systemsincorporating more than one appliance, including cooking appliances,dishwashers, or other suitable consumer or commercial appliances.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 2 , an exemplary method 200 forimproving or optimizing the performance of one or more consumerappliances will be described. In general, FIG. 2 illustrates method 200for operating an appliance (or a system of appliances) and a remoteserver, such as system 100, according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent subject matter. In particular, method 200 enables closed loopfeedback regarding the performance of appliance 112 and provides orimplements a recommendation for improving future performance ofappliance 112. To perform method 200 using system 100, controller 120may be programmed to perform method 200, e.g., by collecting performancedata and/or user feedback, transmitting the data to a remote server,determining an alteration to an operating parameter, and implementingthe adjust operating parameter during a subsequent operating cycle.However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that method 200 may beperformed using other systems as well.

At step 202, method 200 may include performing a selected laundryoperation on a laundry load in accordance with an original set ofoperating parameters. In detail, according to an exemplary embodiment,the appliance (e.g., appliance 112) may be a laundry treatmentappliance, and specifically a drying appliance. Accordingly, the laundryoperation may be a drying operation. The drying operation may be atumble dry operation incorporating a supply of heated air to a tub ordrum. Thus, the laundry operation may operate primarily according to adetermined target drying time and a level of heat (or heated air)supplied to the tub (e.g., high, medium, low, off, etc.).

The original set of operating parameters may be incorporated into acontrol algorithm, for example. The control algorithm may be apredetermined algorithm accounting for multiple attributes of a laundryload, such as a load size (e.g., weight), a load type (e.g., delicates,cottons, mixed loads, towels, sheets, etc.), a level of heat (e.g., asselected by the user), and, in some embodiments, a preferred drynesslevel. According to this embodiment, the preferred dryness level isselected by the user prior to initiating the laundry operation from alist of dryness levels. For instance, the preferred dryness level mayinclude damp, less dry, normal, more dry, and extra dry. The user mayselect one dryness level from the list of dryness levels. It should benoted that some embodiments may incorporate more or fewer options fordryness level to be selected.

After having selected the laundry load type, heat level, and preferreddryness level (and load size according to some embodiments), thecontroller may iterate the control algorithm to determine the targetdrying time. According to at least one embodiment, the control algorithmmay incorporate a target time equation for determining the target time.The target time equation may be, for example:

Target Time=([t _(TV) ₀ _(*φ) ₁ *(M ₀*φ₂)]+A ₀φ₃ −t _(TV) ₀ )*TM+t _(TV)₀

wherein t_(TV) ₀ is a time to reach a target moisture score (TV₀ beingthe target moisture score), M₀ is a multiplier term for altering thetime to reach the target moisture score, A₀ is an adder term for addinga predetermined amount of time to the target drying time, TM is a timeadjustment factor based on a selected temperature of the selectedlaundry treatment operation, and φ₁, φ₂, and φ₃ are factors adjustedaccording to the feedback input.

As can be seen in the above equation, each term (e.g., the targetmoisture score, the multiplier term, and the adder term) have anassociated factor (e.g., φ₁, φ₂, and φ₃) associated therewith. Thefactors may be adjusted (as will be explained in more detail below) tosubsequently alter the target drying time. For instance, the controller(e.g., controller 120) may receive feedback, e.g., user feedback, andadjust the target time equation accordingly to generate a new targetdrying time. Hereinafter, the terms (e.g., the target moisture score,the multiplier term, and the adder term) may be referred to as theoperating parameters.

The controller may also have a minimum cycle time programmed therein.For instance, the minimum cycle time may be a minimum amount of timethat the laundry treatment appliance should run for a selected laundryoperation. The minimum cycle time may be preprogrammed into thecontroller or may be set (e.g., by a user or a technician). The minimumcycle time may subsequently be altered in order to accommodate forchanging circumstances relating to the laundry treatment appliance, suchas air flow, exhaust pressure, motor torque, or due to feedback inputfrom the user (described below). Thus, after calculating the targetdrying time (e.g., via the target time equation), the controller maycompare the calculated target drying time with the stored minimum cycletime. The controller may then select the greater of the two and performthe selected laundry treatment operation. For instance, if thecalculated target drying time (e.g., having incorporated feedback) isless than the minimum cycle time, the controller may instruct thelaundry treatment appliance to perform the selected laundry treatmentoperation for the minimum cycle time.

At step 204, method 200 may include obtaining a feedback input from auser regarding a perceived dryness level of the laundry load uponcompletion of the selected laundry treatment operation. In detail, atthe completion of the laundry treatment operation, the appliance mayrequest an input from the user regarding the operation performed. Insome embodiments, the request is sent to a mobile device (e.g., userinput device 160). The request may be presented to the user in the formof a sliding scale, for example. The sliding scale may incorporate aplurality of levels of dryness from which the user may choose. Forexample, five levels of dryness may be presented to the user. Thesliding scale may be presented in any suitable format. Additionally oralternatively, the sliding scale may be presented to the user from auser interface (e.g., user interface panel 140) of the appliance.According to at least one embodiment, the sliding scale includes optionssuch as way too damp, too damp, dry, too dry, and way too dry. It shouldbe noted that more or fewer options my be presented to the useraccording to specific embodiments.

The feedback input may be transmitted to a memory device (e.g., memorydevice 154). Thus, the memory device may store the feedback inputtherein for use in adjusting the control algorithm (described below).When the feedback input is received via the mobile device, the feedbackinput may be transmitted to the appliance, e.g., via a network (e.g.,network 116).

At step 206, method 200 may include adjusting at least one operatingparameter of the original set of operating parameters in response toobtaining the feedback input. As described above, the target timeequation may initially be iterated utilizing standard (or original)operating parameters. In one scenario, a user may select a laundrytreatment cycle with a “more dry” option. After performing the laundrytreatment cycle, the user may inspect the laundry load and perceive thelaundry load to be “too damp.” The user may thus provide the feedbackinput as “too damp” (e.g., via the sliding scale). Accordingly, thecontroller may incorporate the feedback input into the control algorithmand adjust one or more of the original operating parameters.

As discussed above, the original operating parameters may include thetarget moisture score, the multiplier term, and the adder term. Thecontroller may determine which operating parameter (or parameters) toadjust by analyzing the feedback input from the user. In someembodiments, only one operating parameter is adjusted. In otherembodiments, two or more operating parameters are adjusted. Referringback to the target time equation, each operating parameter (or term)included a corresponding φ term. Thus, when adjusting the operatingparameters, the controller may adjust the corresponding φ term with theselected parameter. Accordingly, the φ terms (e.g., φ₁, φ₂, and φ₃) maybe integers incorporated into the target time equation to perform therequired adjustments.

Further, the controller may determine which operating parameter toadjust based on the selected laundry load type. For example, a differentoperating parameter may be adjusted when the laundry load type iscottons versus when the laundry load type is delicates. In someembodiments, a look-up table is incorporated into the memory device. Thelook-up table may include a plurality of predetermined φ terms accordingto a plurality of laundry treatment operation possibilities. Thecontroller may retrieve an associated φ term to adjust the target timeequation (and subsequently the control algorithm). Additionally oralternatively, the controller may calculate a φ term from the feedbackinput, taking into consideration the laundry load type, etc.

As discussed above, the operating parameters may include the targetmoisture score, the multiplier term, and the adder term. In detail, thetarget moisture score may be a predetermined arbitrary score associatedwith a particular laundry load. In some embodiments, the target moisturescore includes a target voltage level, e.g., from one or more sensorsprovided within the laundry treatment appliance. In some embodiments,the laundry treatment appliance includes a humidity sensor to determinea relative humidity within the tub, thus approximating a dryness levelof the laundry load. The adder term may be a positive integer thatincreases a total laundry treatment operation time by a certain amount.For instance, the adder term may be represented in seconds or minutes.The multiplier term may be a positive integer that increases ordecreases the total laundry treatment operation time as a function ofthe time to the target moisture score. Accordingly, each operatingparameter may adjust the target drying time by a different amount on adifferent scale.

Moreover, the adjustments made to the operating parameters may bedefined as either coarse adjustments or fine adjustments. In detail, acoarse adjustment may incorporate relatively large adjustments to thetarget drying time, while fine adjustments incorporate relativelysmaller adjustments to the target drying time. For example, a largediscrepancy between the selected drying level (e.g., “more dry”) and theperceived dryness level (e.g., “too damp”) may incorporate the coarseadjustment. In some embodiments, the coarse adjustment adjusts two ormore of the operating parameters. Additionally or alternatively, thecoarse adjustment may be different according to the laundry load typeselected by the user. For instance, a coarse adjustment for a delicateslaundry load may be different from a coarse adjustment for a towelslaundry load (e.g., regarding which term is adjusted). Thus, accordingto the coarse adjustment, an adjustment of between 3 minutes and 10minutes may be incorporated into the target drying time. It should benoted that the time adjustment may vary between selected cycles (e.g.,between a delicate cycle, a cotton cycle, a towel cycle, etc.).

For another example, a small discrepancy between the selected dryinglevel (e.g., “more dry”) and the perceived dryness level (e.g., “dry”)may incorporate a fine adjustment. In some embodiments, the fineadjustment adjusts only one of the operating parameters. Additionally oralternatively, the fine adjustment may be different according to thelaundry load type selected by the user. For instance, a fine adjustmentfor a delicates laundry load may be different from a fine adjustment fora towels laundry load (e.g., regarding which term is adjusted). Thus,according to the fine adjustment, an adjustment of less than 5 minutesmay be incorporated into the target drying time. It should be noted thatthe time adjustment may vary between selected cycles (e.g., between adelicate cycle, a cotton cycle, a towel cycle, etc.).

At step 208, method 200 may include generating an adjusted set ofoperating parameters based on the original set of operating parametersand the feedback input. In detail, upon determining which operatingparameters are to be adjusted and in turn adjusting those operatingparameters, the controller may incorporate the adjusted set of operatingparameters into the target time equation. Accordingly, the controlalgorithm may be run again to determine the new target drying time.

The laundry treatment appliance (e.g., the memory device thereof) maystore the adjusted set of operating parameters therein. For instance,the adjusted set of operating parameters may be stored in addition tothe original set of operating parameters. Moreover, any subsequentadjusted set of operating parameters may be stored in addition to eachof the original set of operating parameters and the initial adjusted setof operating parameters. In detail, the memory device may keep track ofa history of adjustments made to the target time equation, the controlalgorithm, the set of operating parameters, and the like.Advantageously, the laundry treatment appliance may continually improveits operating efficiency and performance.

For instance, the user may subsequently run a similar or identicallaundry treatment operation as described above. The controller mayincorporate the adjusted set of operating parameters to perform theselected laundry treatment operation according to the adjusted time, inorder to produce more accurate results. A subsequent request forfeedback input may be presented to the user (e.g., similar to the mannerdiscussed above). The controller may then adjust another operatingparameter from the adjusted set of operating parameters in response toreceiving the feedback input. It should be noted that the operatingparameter adjusted subsequently may or may not be the same operatingparameter that was adjusted initially. For instance, the adder term(e.g., the associated φ term) may be adjusted in each of the initialadjustment and the subsequent adjustment. In other embodiments, theadder term (e.g., the associated φ term) may be adjusted in the initialadjustment while the target moisture score (e.g., the associated φ term)is adjusted in the subsequent adjustment.

The controller (e.g., the memory device) may then store the subsequentadjusted set of operating parameters therein. As would be expected, anyfuture iterations of the target time equation may incorporate each ofthe adjusted sets of operating parameters to narrowly adjust theoperating time of the laundry treatment appliance.

Further, the controller may determine one or more interruptions to thelaundry treatment appliance. For instance, the controller may register aloss of power to the laundry treatment appliance. The loss of power maybe the result of the appliance being unplugged and moved to a newlocation, for example. Additionally or alternatively, the controller mayregister a new airflow regime associated with the appliance. In detail,the controller may, by use of sensors or calculations, determine that avolume, amount, or pressure of air (e.g., heated air) supplied to thetub may be different from the last time the control algorithm wasperformed. Thus, external factors may be considered by the controllerbefore executing the target time equation.

Thus, the controller may reset the adjusted set of operating parametersto the original set of operating parameters in response to thedetermined interruption. In some embodiments, the controller may presenta request to the user to reset the adjusted set of operating parameters.For instance, the request may be presented to the user's mobile deviceas a prompt. Upon selecting yes, the controller may return the operatingparameters (and thus the target time equation) back to its originalsettings and begin the process over.

According to the embodiments described herein, an appliance (such as alaundry appliance) may intelligently improve performance (such as dryingperformance) utilizing user feedback and continued modification of aplurality of operating parameters of a model equation. The appliance mayperform a selected operation according to an initial or original set ofoperating parameters. The appliance may then request a feedback input todetermine whether the operation was satisfactorily performed. Utilizingthe feedback input, the appliance may adjust one or more parameters of amodel equation used to calculate a target time for which to perform theoperation. Thus, a new set of parameters may be substituted into themodel equation to generate a more accurate operation time, improvingresults and increasing user satisfaction.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of optimizing performance of a laundry treatment appliance, the method comprising: performing a selected laundry treatment operation on a laundry load in accordance with an original set of operating parameters; obtaining a feedback input from a user regarding a dryness level of the laundry load upon completion of the selected laundry treatment operation; adjusting at least one operating parameter of the original set of operating parameters in response to obtaining the feedback input; and generating an adjusted set of operating parameters based on the original set of operating parameters and the feedback input.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the original set of operating parameters and the adjusted set of operating parameters are incorporated into a control algorithm, the control algorithm outputting a target time for completing the selected laundry treatment operation.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the control algorithm comprises a target time equation for determining the target time for completing the selected laundry treatment operation, the target time equation comprising: Target Time=([t _(TV) ₀ _(*φ) ₁ *(M ₀*φ₂)]+A ₀φ₃ −t _(TV) ₀ )*TM+t _(TV) ₀ wherein t_(TV) ₀ is a time to reach a target moisture score; TV₀ is the target moisture score; M₀ is a multiplier term for altering the time to reach the target moisture score; A₀ is an adder term for adding a predetermined amount of time to the target drying time; TM is a time adjustment factor based on a selected temperature of the selected laundry treatment operation; and φ₁, φ₂, and φ₃ are factors adjusted according to the feedback input.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the adjusted set of operating parameters are stored within a memory of the laundry treatment appliance as a history of user feedback comprising a plurality of adjusted operating parameters.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein subsequent iterations of the control algorithm incorporate the history of user feedback comprising the plurality of adjusted operating parameters.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the original set of operating parameters comprises: an adder term comprising a positive integer that increases a total laundry treatment operation time; a target moisture score comprising a value that represents a dryness of a laundry load as determined by a humidity sensor provided within the laundry treatment appliance; and a multiplier term comprising a positive integer that increases or decreases a total laundry treatment operation time as a function of a time to the target moisture score.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the adjusting the at least one operating parameter comprises making one of a fine adjustment or a coarse adjustment.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the dryness level is selected by the user according to a sliding scale of dryness of the laundry load, and wherein the fine adjustment or the coarse adjustment are determined based on the dryness level selected.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sliding scale of dryness of the laundry load is presented to the user via a remote device remotely connected to the laundry treatment appliance.
 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the selected laundry treatment operation comprises a total cycle time, the total cycle time being a greater of a calculated target time and a minimum cycle time, the calculated target time being determined via the control algorithm.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one operating parameter selected for adjustment is determined at least in part by a selected cycle of the laundry treatment appliance.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: performing a subsequent laundry treatment operation on a subsequent laundry load in accordance with the adjusted set of operating parameters; obtaining a subsequent input feedback from the user regarding the dryness level of the subsequent laundry load; adjusting at least another operating parameter of the adjusted set of operating parameters in response to obtaining the subsequent feedback input, the at least another operating parameter being different from the at least one operating parameter; and storing a subsequent adjusted set of operating parameters comprising the at least another adjusted operating parameter.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that an interruption to the laundry treatment appliance has been triggered; and resetting the adjusted set of operating parameters to the original set of operating parameters in response to an input from the user, wherein the interruption is one of a loss of power to the laundry treatment appliance or a new airflow regime to the laundry treatment appliance.
 14. A laundry treatment appliance, comprising: a cabinet forming a receiving space; a tub rotatably provided within the receiving space; and a controller operably coupled to the tub, the controller being configured to perform a series of operations, the series of operations comprising: performing a selected laundry treatment operation on a laundry load in accordance with an original set of operating parameters; obtaining a feedback input from a user regarding a dryness level of the laundry load upon completion of the selected laundry treatment operation; adjusting at least one operating parameter of the original set of operating parameters in response to obtaining the feedback input; and generating an adjusted set of operating parameters comprising the at least one adjusted operating parameter.
 15. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 14, wherein the original set of operating parameters and the adjusted set of operating parameters are incorporated into a control algorithm, the control algorithm outputting a target time for completing the selected laundry treatment operation.
 16. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 15, wherein the control algorithm comprises a target time equation for determining the target time for completing the selected laundry treatment operation, the target time equation comprising: Target Time=([t _(TV) ₀ _(*φ) ₁ *(M ₀*φ₂)]+A ₀φ₃ −t _(TV) ₀ )*TM+t _(TV) ₀ wherein t_(TV) ₀ is a time to reach a target moisture score; TV₀ is the target moisture score; M₀ is a multiplier term for altering the time to reach the target moisture score; A₀ is an adder term for adding a predetermined amount of time to the target drying time; TM is a time adjustment factor based on a selected temperature of the selected laundry treatment operation; and φ₁, φ₂, and φ₃ are factors adjusted according to the feedback input.
 17. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 15, further comprising a humidity sensor provided within the tub, and wherein the original set of operating parameters comprises: an adder term comprising a positive integer that increases a total laundry treatment operation time; a target moisture score comprising a value that represents a dryness of a laundry load as determined by the humidity sensor; and a multiplier term comprising a positive integer that increases or decreases a total laundry treatment operation time as a function of a time to the target moisture score.
 18. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 15, wherein the adjusted set of operating parameters are stored within a memory of the laundry treatment appliance as a history of user feedback comprising a plurality of adjusted operating parameters.
 19. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 18, wherein subsequent iterations of the control algorithm incorporate the history of user feedback comprising the plurality of adjusted operating parameters.
 20. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 14, wherein the series of operations further comprises: determining that an interruption to the laundry treatment appliance has been triggered; and resetting the adjusted set of operating parameters to the original set of operating parameters in response to an input from the user, wherein the interruption is one of a loss of power to the laundry treatment appliance or a new airflow regime to the laundry treatment appliance. 